China expands use of approved chemicals with new upcoming FCMs regulation
The Chinese government is in the process of amending its regulation on food contact materials (General Safety Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Articles, GB 4806.1) for the first time since 2016. Recent changes include the addition of new substances to the positive list for FCMs and the expansion of allowed uses for other substances.
The National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) intends to broaden the scope of the current regulation to include polymers, wider uses for previously approved materials, and food ingredients.
Plastics, rubber, silica gel, paints, adhesives, and oil paints that already have CFSA approval may be combined for use in FCMs, provided there are no chemical reactions.
The update also allows substances approved as food ingredients, such as preservatives, to be used in FCM manufacturing, as long as they meet the GB 4806.1 requirements.
The updates will also clarify and redefine some terms, and explicitly exclude outer packaging or material from the definition of FCMs unless it directly contacts food.
In February 2023, China's food industry association released two new voluntary standards to supplement GB 4806.1. Although China's national FCMs standard includes general regulations, companies may need more guidance when writing a Declaration of Compliance.
The CFSA and the China National Health Commission have recently concluded studies and consultations on several new food contact chemicals, which are expected to be approved or are in the process of approval. These developments indicate a significant effort by the Chinese government and industry to update and expand the regulation of FCMs.
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